Christ the Way and the Truth and the Life, Chapter 9
CHAP. IX. How to make use of Christ, for cleansing of us from our dayly spots.
HAving spoken of the way of making use of Christ, for removing of the guilt of our dayly transgressions, we come to speak of the way of making use of Christ, for taking away the filth that cleaveth to the soul, through dayly transgressions: for every sin defileth the man Mat, 15: 20 and the best are said to have their spots, and to need washing▪ which presupposeth filthinesse and defilement Ephes. 5: 27. Iohn. 13: 8, 10. Hence we are so oft called to this duty of washing and making us clean Esai. 1: 16. Ier. 4: 14. Act. 22: 16. David prayes for this washing Psal. 51: 2, 7. And it is Christ's work to wash 1 Cor. 6: 11. Revel. 1: 5. Ephes. 5: 26. See Tit. 3: 5. Now in speaking to this, we shall observe the same method; and first shew, what Christ hath done to take away this filth; and next, what way we are to make use of Him▪ for this end, to get our spots and filthinesse taken away, that we may be holy.
As to the first. For the purging away of the filth of our dayly failings and transgressions, Christ hath done those things.
1. He hath died that He might procure this benefite and advantage to us; and thus he hath washed us meritoriously in his blood, which he shed upon the crosse. Thus he loved us, and washed us from our sins, in his owne blood. Revel. 1: 5. and this is from all sins, as well such as are committed after, as such as are committed before conversion. Thus He by himself purged our sins Heb. 1: 3. viz by offering up of himself as an expiatory sacrifice to make an atonement, and so procure this liberty. So also it is said Ephes. 5: 25, 26, 27. that Christ gave himself for his Church, that He might sanctify and cleanse it—that He might present it to himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy & without blemish. So Tit. 2: 14. He gave himself for us, that he—might purify to himself a peculiar people, Zealous of good works. Here then is the foundation and ground of all our cleanseing and purification; Christ's death procuring it.
2. As He hath procured; so he sendeth the Spirit to effectuate this, and to worke this washing and sanctification, in us. Hence it is said 1 Cor. 6: 11. that we are sanctified and washed, in the name of the Lord Iesus, and by the Spirit of our God. We are said to be saved by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the holy ghost, which he shed upon us abundantly through Iesus Christ our Saviour Tit. 3: 5▪ 6. The sending then or shedding of the holy and sanctifying Spirit upon us, whereby we are sanctified, and consequently purified and purged from our filth, is a fruit of Christ's death and mediation, being purchased thereby, and is an effect of his resurrection: and glorification, and intercession in glory.
3. He hath made a fountaine of his blood for this end, that we may go to it daylie, and wash and be cleane: thus his blood cleanseth from all sin 1 Ioh. 1: 7, 9. This is the fountaine opened to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Ierusalem for sin and for uncleannesse. Zech. 13: 1.
4. He hath purchased and provided the externall meanes, whereby this cleansing and sanctification is brought about: viz the preaching of the gospell, which He himself preached, and thereby sanctified Iohn 15: 3. Now are yee clean through the word that I have spoken unto you. Ephes. 5: 26. the Church is sanctified and cleansed with the washing of water, by the word.
5. So hath He procured, and worketh in the soul those graces, that promove and cary on this work of sanctification and purifying; such as faith, which purifyeth the heart Act. 15: 9. whereof he is the author and finisher Heb. 12. and hope which whosoever hath, purifyeth himself, even as He is pure. 1 Iohn. 3: 3.
6. He hath confirmed and ratified all the promises of the covenant, which are ample and large, touching this cleansing and washing Ier. 35: 8. And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me Ezech. 36: 25. Then will I sprinkle cleane water upon you, and yee shall be cleane, from all your filthinesse. So Ezech. 37: 23.—and I will cleanse them. And all the other promises of the covenant, apprehended by faith, have no small influence on our cleanseing 2 Cor. 7: 1. having there o…e these promises, let us cleanse our selves &c. all which promises are yea and amen in Christ 2 Cor. 1: 20.
Thus Christ hath made all sure, for the cleanseing and washing of his people, conforme to that article of the covenant of Redemption. So shall he sprinckle many nations Esai. 52: 15.
Secondly, As to the way of our usemaking of Christ, for the purging away of our filth and daylie pollutions. Beleevers would take this course.
1. They would remember and live in the conviction of the exceeding abominablnesse and filthinesse of sin, which is compared to the vomite of a dog, and to the mire, wherein the sow walloweth 2 Pet. 2: 22. to filthy rags Esai. 64: 6. to a menstruous cloath Esai 30▪ 22▪ and the like, that this may move them to seek with greater care and diligence, to have that filth washen away.
2. They would remember also how abominable sin maketh them in the eyes of an holy God, who cannot behold iniquity, being a God of purer eyes than to behold it Habak. 1: 13. nor can He look on it. And how therefore no unclean thing can enter in into the new Jerusalem▪ nor any thing that defileth. And this will make them so much the more to abhore it, and to seek to be washen from it.
3. They would look by faith upon the blood of Christ, that is shed for this end, to wash filthy souls into; and run to it as a fountaine opened for this end, that they might come to it, and wash & be cleane.
4. For their encouragement, they would grip by faith to the promises of the new covenant, which are large and full.
5. And remember the end of Christ's death▪ viz to purchase to himself a holy people, Zealous of good works, to present them to Himself holy, and without spot and wrinkle, or any such thing: and this will be a further encouragement.
6. They would put the work by faith in his hand, who hath best skill to wash a foule soul, and to purge away all their spots; and by faith pray for and exspect the Spirit, to sanctifie and cleanse them from all their filthinesse: that is, they would make known, and spread forth their abominations before the Lord, and eyeing Christ as the only great Highpriest, whose blood is a fountaine to wash in, would lay the work on Him, and by faith put Him to wash away that filth, and to purifie their souls by his Spirit, pardoning their bygone iniquities, & renewing them in the spirit of their mindes by grace, that they may walk before him in fear. Thus they would roll the work on Him, and leave it there.
Cautions & Directions.
1. The beleever would in all this work be keeped, in the exercise of those graces following.
1. Of Humility, seeing what a vile filthy wreatch he is, that stands in need of washing and purging dayly, because of his daylie pollutions, and transgressions.
2. Of Love▪ considering with what a loving God he hath to do, that hath provided so liberally … things for him, and particularly hath provided a fountaine and such a fountaine, whereto he no… only may, but is commanded to resort dayly.
3. Of Thankfulnesse, remembering how great this mercy is, how unworthy he is, on whom it is bestowed, and who He is that doth grant it.
4. Of Fear, least God's goodnesse be abused, and He provoked, who is so gracious to us.
5. Of Sincerity, and godly ingenuity, avoiding all hypocrisie, and formality, knowing that we have to do with Him, who will not be mocked.
6. Of holy Hatred, loathing and abhorrence of sin, which maketh us so filthy and odious in the eyes of the Lord.
2. This course would be followed, for the purging away of the least sins: for till they be purged away, we remaine in our filth, and cannot exspect God's favourable countenance, nor his warme imbracements, nor the hearty intimations of his love and kindnesse. And a small inconsiderable like spot may grow greater, and provoke God to let the accuser of the brethren, Satan, who alwayes waits for his opportunity, losse upon us, and a conscience wakened may make much of a little defilement, to keep the soul from approaching to God.
3. This course would be followed with every sin, quickly, without delay: for the longer those spots continue, it will be the more difficult to get them taken away: the soul will after some time, become the lesse troubled about them, and possibly forget them; and so they will remaine; and this may occasion at last a sad distance, and provoke God to hide his face, which will cause more bitternesse and sorrow. It were good then, to keep up a Spirit of tendernesse and feare.
4. Let this be our Dayly work and exercise: for we are daylie contracting new filth: yesterdayes cleansing will not save us from new filth to day: nor will our runing to the fountaine to day, serve to take away new spots tomorrow: new spots call for new washing, so that this must be our very life and exercise, to be dayly and continually runing to the fountaine with our foule souls; and giving Christ, the great purger, much to do.
5. We must not think to be perfectly Washen, so long as we are here; for we will be contracting new filth dayly, our feet will still be to wash Iohn. 13: 10. We will not be without spote or wrinckle, till we come home to that place, wherein entereth nothing that defileth.
6. Let the beleevers recourse in this matter be wholly to Iesus Christ and his blood, and lay no weight on their sorrow, repentance, or teares, or on any outward meane, which they are commanded to use: yet would they not lay aside these meanes, but goe through them to the fountaine, to Jesus, there and there only to be cleansed.
7. They would not be discouraged or dispaire, when their spots appear great, and not like the spots of his children: for Christ's blood can purge from all sin; and wash away all their filth, of how deep so ever a dye it, be. Christ's blood is so deep an ocean▪ that a mountain will be sunck out of sight in it, as wel as a small peeble stone.
8. Though Christ's blood be strong enough to purge from all sin, even the greatest; yet they would know, that scandalous spots, or a deep staine, may cost them more frequent runing to the fountaine, through humiliation, godly sorrow, prayer and supplication. David's scandalous blot cost him more trouble and paines, before he got it purged away, than many others, as we see Psal. 51.
9. When all this is done, we must think of having on another righteousnesse, as our cloathing and covering, in the day of our appearance before our judge, even the righteousnesse of Jesus Christ, which only is perfect, and able to save us from the wrath of God. Let us be never so washen in the matter of sanctification, and cleansed from our spots, we cannot for all that be accounted righteous before God: nor will that satisfie justice, or take away the guilt so much as of one transgression before God. Christ's righteousnesse will be ou… upper-garment for all eternitie: Ut his is the fine linning wherewith his bride is busked in heaven.
10. At every time we run to the fountaine, with our dayly contracted filth, we would not forget to carry alongs with us the mother corruption, which is the sinck and puddle of all filthinesse: I meane, our naturall corrupted rottennesse and pollution, from whence flow all our other actuall pollutions. We would do well to carry mother and daughter both together to the fountaine. David prayeth to be washen and purged, as well from his originall filthinesse, wherein he was conceived and borne, as from his bloudguiltinesse Psal. 51: 5, 7.
11. Let not this occasion our carelesnesse in watching against sin; for that would be to turne his grace into wantonness, but rather let it sharpen our diligence in watching against all occasions of sin, lest we againe defile our soul.
12. Not only must we have our bodyes, or our outward conversation washen; but our soul within, the frame of our heart, our understanding, will, affections, and conscience sprinkled with that blood. The blood of Christ, who through the eternall Spirit, offered himself without spot …o God, must purge our consciences from dead works, to serve the living God. Heb. 9: 14. And we must have our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience. Heb. 10: 22.
Finally. If the beleever feare, that he shall not be able to remember all these particular duties, let him remember this, to wit. To put a …oule soul, defiled with originall and actuall pollutions, in Christ's hand, dayly, and leave it with him to wash by his blood and Spirit. And yet remember to lay the weight of his acceptance before God, upon the imputed righteousnesse of Iesus Christ, and not upon his own cleannesse, when thus sanctified and washen, which is but imperfect.
Questions or objections answered.
But alas some may Object. and say, That their very faith which must carry the rest of their filth to the fountaine of Christ's blood, is defiled; How then can they expect to be made clean? An. The blood of Iesus Christ is sufficiently able to wash all our filth away; and the filth of faith, as well as of other actions: Therefore, when faith, as a hand, is carrying the filth of the soul away to Christ to be washen in his blood; let the foule hand go with the foule hand - full, give Christ faith and all to wash.
2. But what shall I do, when notwithstanding of all this, my conscience shall still accuse me of uncleannesse, and cry out against me as filthy and abominable? Ans. Take it away also to the blood of Iesus, that there it may be purged Heb. 9: 14. and here alone will we get our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience. Heb. 10: 22. The conscience must be steeped (to speak so) in the blood of Iesus, and so it shall be cleane: and taking our filthy hearts to this cleansing fountaine, to be washen, we will get them delivered, and sprinkled from an evil conscience, that it shall no more have ground of accusation against us: when we have it to say, that we have put our filthy souls in the hands of the great cleanser, Jesus Christ, and brought all our pollutions to his blood, what can conscience say to us? The Lord, it is true, may suffer our consciences still to bark upon us, and cast up our filthinesse to us, that we may be the more humbled, and be put to lye more constantly at the fountaine; yet when we have fled to Christ, and taken our filthinesse to the open and appointed fountaine, we can answere the accusations of conscience, in law, and have peace.
3. But I am apt to think, will some say▪ That if I had once taken the right way, to get my sins & filthinesse purged away, my conscience would trouble me no more; but now so long as it doggeth me thus, I cannot think, that the way, which I have taken, is the right way. Ans. Though the Lord may think good to suffer conscience to trouble a man for a time, though he hath taken the right way, as is said, for a further exercise and tryall to him; yet the beleever will have no losse nor disadvantage, by examineing his way, and trying whether he hath laid the matter, cleanly over on Christ, or whether he hath laid too much weight on his own humiliation, sorrow and paines; and whether he beleaving the matter on Jesus; and exspecting to be washen alone in his blood, or looking in to himself, and exspecting some helpe in the matter from self. And after tryall would mourne for any failing he gets discovered: and still be about that work of runing with filth to the fountaine. But withall they would go to Christ for helpe, because without Him, they cannot come to Him, they cannot come or carry their soul to the fountaine opened for sin and uncleannesse. So that, in all this work, there would be a single dependance on Christ, for understanding, and strength to go about this work aright.
Thus, have we endeavoured to cleare up Christ's being the Way to the Father, first and last; and how all, beleevers or unbeleevers, are to make use of him, as the way to the Father, whatever their condition be; from all which we may see▪ 1. That such are in a wreatched and forlorne condition, who are still strangers to Christ▪ and will not lay hold on Him, nor come to Him, and walk in Him, and make use of Him. They are unrighteous and unholy, and dayly contracting more guilt and more filth: and they know no way either for justification or sanctification, but a way of self, which will prove like the brooks, which run dry in summer & disappoint the weary travailer, when he hath most need. They are without Christ, and so without the way, the only way, the saife and sure way, to the Father. And oh! if all that is here spoken could induce them, to think once of the misery of their condition; and to seek out for reliefe, that they might not only be saved from their state of sin and misery; but brought into a state of salvation through Jesus Christ; so that they might be justified before God, from all that justice, the devil, the law, or conscience, could lay against them▪ and throughly sanctified; and so at length brought home to the Father, faire and spotlesse 2. Upon the other hand, we see the noble advantage of beleevers, who through grace are entered into this way; for it is a full and compleat way, that shall carry them saife home: they shall finde, that He is able to save to the uttermost all that come to God through Him. And O if▪ they were sensible of this! How would it excite them to thankfulnesse▪ How would it encourage them to run thorow difficulties great and many! 3. We see what a special duty lyeth upon beleevers to make special use of Christ, in all things, as the way to the Father, and so march to heaven in Him, as the only way, march in his hands, or rather be carryed in his armes and bosome. This were to goe from strength to strength, till at length they appeared in Zion, and landed in that pleasant place of rest, where the weary are at rest, and yet rest not, day nor night, but sing praises to Him, that hath redeemed them by his blood, out of every kinred and tongue, and people and nation, saying blessing, honour, glory & power be unto Him, that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the lamb, forever and ever Revel. 5: 9, 13. 4. Hence we may see the cause of the leannesse of beleevers, of their wanderings, of their short comings▪ of their many defilements &c. viz. their not constant making use of Christ, as the way, in all things, according to the tenor of the gospel. Oh if this were laid to heart and mourned for, and if grace were sought to helpe it.
This one point of truth. That Christ is the way, well understood, and …ghtly put into practice, would do all our businesse, both as to justification and sanctification, and were poor sinners once entred into this way, and had they grace from this way to walk in it, it would prove their life and salvation: for it is the marrow and substance of the whole gospel. So that there needeth little more to be said: yet we shall speak, a little to the other particulars in the text.